What?
Cuiliu had originally expected Wei Qinglv to make things difficult for her or scold her, and she was even prepared to make a fuss about how Wei Qinglv showed no respect to her elders and mistreated an old servant.
Never in her wildest dreams had she expected that, after such a tirade, Wei Qinglv would actually hand her such a lucrative task.
Who didn't know that procurement was where the most money could be made? Even though Wei Qinglv was just a young widow, her monthly allowance and the vegetable supply were not short by a single coin. One could say there was still a great deal of profit to be made.
Cuiliu immediately dropped to her knees. "Understood. Many thanks to the Young Madam for your promotion."
"All of you saw it too. Work hard, and there will naturally be benefits for you!"
"You may all withdraw."
Wei Qinglv waved her hand, turned around, and stumbled into the room.
Seeing this, Caiyi followed her inside. She stood beside Wei Qinglv to help her change clothes, looking thoroughly disgruntled.
Seeing Caiyi's pouting expression, Wei Qinglv found her utterly adorable.
The corners of her lips curved slightly upward as she pinched Caiyi's cheek. "What is it? Are you angry?"
"This maid wouldn't dare. It's just that Cuiliu's words were truly hateful. She humiliated the Young Madam in front of so many people. Why didn't the Young Madam severely punish her instead of..."
Instead of giving her such a lucrative task?
Wasn't that like a mouse falling into a rice vat?
Caiyi thought better of the rest and forcefully swallowed her words.
Seeing Caiyi hesitate with words on the tip of her tongue, Wei Qinglv knew she must be harboring resentment over this matter.
"She is merely a servant, yet she dares to be so arrogant and haughty. Why do you suppose that is?"
"Is it simply because I come from a background of Yangzhou slender horses?"
Wei Qinglv let out a soft laugh, speaking in a coaxing and guiding tone.
This time, Caiyi also learned to use her brain and immediately spoke up. "Yes, the Young Madam is right. She must be relying on Second Madam Pei, which is why she dares to throw her weight around here."
"Isn't that right? Once she does something that even Second Madam Pei cannot protect her from, it will naturally be entirely justified to punish her."
"Good Caiyi, you will help me, won't you?"
Wei Qinglv took hold of Caiyi's hand, looking at her with a warm smile.
Although Caiyi was an honest and steady girl, she wasn't foolish and quickly understood what Wei Qinglv meant.
Yet Caiyi found it all rather strange. She simply couldn't understand when Wei Qinglv, who used to be so submissive and knew only how to cry, had become so capable.
She looked at Wei Qinglv and said, "Young Madam, you are truly amazing!"
In truth, it wasn't that Wei Qinglv was amazing. The inner courtyard was just this small, and the matters within it were just this mundane. Having lived through two lifetimes, how could she still fail to see through them?
Besides, Wei Qinglv had been raised as a Yangzhou slender horse, so she knew the scheming ways of women better than anyone else.
In her previous life, she had always thought of relying on others and constantly sought a patron, never once considering depending on herself. But in this lifetime, Wei Qinglv finally understood that relying on others could never last, and in the end, one had to depend on oneself.
"Knowing is enough; you are not allowed to go around running your mouth about it from now on."
"Work hard. Sooner or later, these people will all be sent away."
Wei Qinglv smiled, then lay straight down on the bed and closed her eyes to rest.
She had been put through quite an ordeal in the ancestral hall, so she was thoroughly exhausted now and just wanted a good sleep.
Not daring to say anything more, Caiyi hurried out and softly pulled the door shut.
"Sister Cuiliu, you are truly amazing! That speech left the Young Madam too cowed to even lift her head."
"In the future, the few of us following Sister Cuiliu won't have to worry about not having a way out."
A few young maids gathered around Cuiliu, chattering away with flattery.
Cuiliu was immensely pleased with herself. She let out a scornful hum and said, "She originally came from a background of Yangzhou slender horses, so what is so remarkable about her? If the eldest young master weren't on the verge of dying, would it ever have been her turn to be the Young Madam? Besides, I am a distant relative of Second Madam Pei, and a servant born into the family to boot. What could a mere slender horse possibly do to me?"
"Sister Cuiliu is right."
The others chimed in once more.
Every word of this was overheard by Caiyi, who had just stepped outside. She was furious, but remembering Wei Qinglv's words, she could only grit her teeth and endure it for the time being.
After taking her medicine, First Madam Pei felt a good deal more energetic.
Seeing Nanny Zhang hesitate with words on her lips, she found it amusing.
"If you old thing has something to say, just say it. Why are you holding it in?"
Nanny Zhang had been with First Madam Pei for the better part of a lifetime. Though their relationship was that of mistress and servant, it was closer than that of a husband and wife.
"Madam, this maid simply doesn't understand. Everything the Young Madam said today was right, but why... why didn't Madam seize the opportunity to take back the authority over household management?"
Nanny Zhang looked at First Madam Pei in puzzlement.
First Madam Pei knew Nanny Zhang must have been troubled by this very matter.
She sighed and then said, "You know as well as I do that I've always detested these messy affairs. Besides, the Second Household is at the height of its power now. I have already lost one son and am left with only a single child. I ask for nothing else; I only pray for peace."
Over all these years, First Madam Pei understood better than anyone how the Pei family had stepped by step reached where it was today.
She had no desire to get entangled in too many struggles; she only wanted to protect her child and live a peaceful life.
Hearing this, Nanny Zhang sighed. Even though she felt that the trees wanted to be still, the wind would not stop, she ultimately closed her mouth.
In many matters, if the person involved refused to see reason, no matter how clearly others explained it, it would remain entirely meaningless.
"Still, that child Qinglv is truly not bad."
First Madam Pei thought for a moment and let out a sigh of sentiment.
"Keep a close eye on things. If a suitable family comes along, keep an eye out for one for her."
"A year from now, she must be married off properly and with great fanfare."
First Madam Pei had already mapped out a future path for Wei Qinglv.
Being a woman herself, she could not bear to watch Wei Qinglv spend the rest of her life in widowhood, having her entire life cut short at such a young age.
"Understood, this maid will keep it in mind."
Nanny Zhang sighed, feeling rather helpless.
Before long, Bailu returned, carrying several account books which he handed over to Pei Zhi.
"Fourth Master, this... is indeed rather suspicious."
"Those people in the Second Household, in order to curry favor with Prince Huan, actually procured quite a number of people through purchasing agents. These were all bought from the Jiangnan region—some are beauties, and others are young page boys."
"This... The imperial court explicitly forbids members of the royal family from consorting with prostitutes. If this were to be discovered, I fear our Pei family would truly face the crime of having our estate confiscated and our entire clan executed!"
What?
Upon hearing this, Pei Zhi's expression turned extremely grim. He immediately opened the account book, and after seeing the records clearly on the pages, his gaze darkened, taking on a sinister edge.
This was simply courting death!
However... right now they only had the account books and no other evidence. Even if they spoke of it, I'm afraid no one would believe them.
Besides, the First Household currently held no influence before the family elders, so they might not necessarily be able to win against the Second Household.
Pei Zhi put away the account book, his fingers tapping lightly against the cover, his mind filled with the words Wei Qinglv had spoken earlier.
Seeing Pei Zhi's reaction, Bailu spoke up once more. "Fourth Master, we cannot let this matter go like this. If... if we aren't careful, our First Household will be completely ruined as well."